Strategy game rpg. The best tactical RPGs on PC

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The RPG genre has a long and exciting history. The best RPGs incorporate the best traditions of storytelling, deep, immersive gameplay, and vast, immersive universes full of mysteries and quests. Our list of the best RPGs (TOP 30 RPGs) would be incomplete without the recently released Kingdom Come, so meet the TOP 31 Best RPGs :)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

• Developer: Warhorse Studios
• Platforms: PC, XBOX One, PS4
• Release date: February 13, 2018

Kingdom Come: Deliverance has already become one of the most anticipated projects for many since its announcement. The main reason for this is the desire of the developers to make the most realistic life simulator in medieval Europe. The players had long been fed up with dragons, magic and other fairy-tale nonsense, so the story of a simple blacksmith’s son really interested them.

The second undeniable advantage of the game is its combat system. There is no simple clicking of the mouse, which can be seen in most slashers and RPGs, and the “tumble/roll” system from Dark Souls and similar games, too. But gamers are offered to take part in sword fights, where the success of an attack or block depends on the correct choice of direction (there are five of them in the game). It is very important to choose the right timing and react to what position the enemy will take.

Fallout 1-2

A series of games where each part is considered a cult. The plot is based on a post-apocalyptic world that has survived a nuclear war. Here the main character has to go to a lifeless wasteland. On his way he encounters difficulties: from radioactive rats to mutants who have flooded this already dangerous world. However, a whole set of tools will help you in the fight against them: character development, companions and just a bunch of all kinds of things scattered throughout the location. If we talk about the plot component, it is necessary to highlight the dialogues, each replica of which affects the world and the attitude of its inhabitants towards you.

Even taking into account the outdated graphics, the excellent RPG component, the story and the world itself help convey the atmosphere of the post-apocalypse that has won the hearts of many fans.

Baldur's Gate 1 and 2

In the year the first part was released, two million copies were sold. You will find yourself in the body of a descendant of the ancient god of war. The son, for certain reasons, decided to go his own way, but he has no idea how many trials await him ahead.

Companions will help not only in battle: their witty remarks and verbal skirmishes very often bring a smile and help to penetrate the universe even deeper. If you complete Baldur's Gate, you will certainly become part of a huge army of fans of this franchise.

Diablo 2 and 3

A classic representative of the RPG genre: several classes to choose from and the ability to destroy crowds of enemies. You are the center of the plot, you are the main character. Probably, it was the filigree implementation of the idea that allowed Diablo 2 to get into the Guinness Book of Records for the fact that licensed copies of the game sold out faster than hot cakes.

The goal is very trivial: the destruction of the main boss, but we still have to get to him. It is also worth noting the possibility of cooperative passage and the fact that a more difficult level opens only after you have completed the easy one, which encourages players to re-pass already familiar locations, but with a different character class.

Gothic 1 and 2

At the beginning of the current millennium, Gothic managed to create a real sensation. At that time, no one had heard of The Elder Scrolls series, so the open world with a lot of well-thought-out characters delighted everyone who came into it. The player can join one of the guilds and stop mad magicians from awakening ancient evil.

In addition to the standard weapon and spell skills, you can also pick locks and steal. Be careful when communicating with other story characters - the future of the entire island depends on your relationship with them!

Dungeon Siege 1 and 2

The Middle Ages, reliable companions and fighting more than a hundred monsters - what else does a warrior need in order to turn into a legend? The Dungeon Siege series was one of the first clones of the legendary Diablo, which is why it was able to become commercially successful.

We will do without plot spoilers, but will only give you one piece of advice - rationally distribute the space in your inventory: most items will not have high value, and purchasing backpacks is not a cheap pleasure.

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Despite the fact that Morrowind was already the third part of the series of games, it was he who laid the foundation for The Elder Scrolls to become a legendary project. This is a paradise for a true RPG fan - you can choose from a ton of races, classes and origins, and also build a line of relationships with the inhabitants of the fantasy world at your discretion.

As you might have guessed from the title, the game contains not only standard spells and armor, but also scrolls that have incredible power, but disappear after use. The plot doesn't rush the player, so you have an eternity to complete side quests and become more and more immersed in the atmosphere.

Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2

There are legends that none of the parts of this game can be completed with an absolutely identical character: 7 races that can choose from 11 classes (or even upgrade 2 classes at the same time), over two hundred spells and more than 250 opponents.

The main feature is that loot drops not only from enemies - it can be found in chests, amphorae and even trash cans, so you have to explore the entire location in detail so as not to miss anything valuable. Take whatever you can get your hands on - merchants will be happy to accept even what looks like junk.

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Many fans of the Star Wars universe still believe that nothing better than this RPG has ever appeared, despite the fact that only one race and six classes are available to the player. Moreover, access to them opens gradually, as experience is gained.

Endless flights across the “far, far away galaxy”, a lot of interesting quests and the ability to destroy opponents with a lightsaber – is anything else needed for happiness? However, you shouldn’t be rowdy - after all, every decision you make affects not only the outcome of the game, but also the fate of the whole world. May the force be with you!

Space Rangers

“Space Rangers” cannot be called an RPG in the classical sense, since elements of turn-based strategy and a test quest are actively used here, but all this is combined so harmoniously that you don’t even notice how time flies.

Although the game does not have a clear storyline, you can complete it in just a few days, or you can stay for several months. It is up to you to decide which side to choose: you can become a real defender of your people, an excellent merchant, an outstanding diplomat, or just a pirate. And when you get tired of exploring the expanses of space, take on quests that use elements of real-time strategy.

Fable: The Lost Chapters

Fable gave gamers the opportunity to more deeply associate themselves with the character, because all the consequences of actions are reflected clearly. Wounds leave scars, overeating causes excess weight - in general, our hero is far from the image of the immortal terminator found in most RPGs.

Here you can even have your own family and castle, and in between battles with huge monsters, relax and fish. Be careful and don’t miss the “talking doors” - the correct answer to their question will greatly simplify your passage and give you a lot of useful items.

World Of Warcraft

World Of Warcraft has long been an object of popular culture; even those who are far from the world of games have heard about this MMORPG. Although playing on the official server requires a monthly payment, and the first part of the game was released (think about it!) 13 years ago, the army of loyal fans continues to grow. There are a lot of locations, quests, storylines, and all this is wrapped in the Warcraft universe, which we loved so much after the release of the legendary strategy.

Incredibly, in a world where a lot of new MMOs appear almost every day, World Of Warcraft consistently holds a leading position, because the gameplay is not limited to killing monsters and bosses, but offers a lot of opportunities for interaction with other players.

Titan Quest

Imagine playing Diablo 2, where ancient mythology is used instead of a fictional fantasy universe. There's simply no better way to describe Titan Quest.

However, if Diablo gave us freedom of action, here events develop very linearly, but interest does not disappear anywhere, since the killing of packs of opponents alternates with plot inserts explaining the motivation of the heroes. And, if you are a fan of Greek mythology, then it is simply contraindicated for you to deprive this game of attention!

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

Oblivion proved that even a large-scale world can be worked out to the smallest detail, thanks to which it became incredibly successful from a commercial point of view. It's hard to find someone who moves quickly through the plot: first, you'll probably try all the character's capabilities, pick up a couple of dozen side quests, and only then lazily get to the end of the first chapter.

The game was developed according to all the canons of an RPG: there is magic, potions, brave knights, and many options for leveling up your own character. It's nice to be able to switch between first and third person, which adds a lot of action elements.

BioShock

Some will say that BioShock is more of a shooter with RPG elements, and they will be partly right, but this list would not be considered complete if this franchise, which created a real sensation among gamers, was not included in it.

You are traveling through an underwater city created back in the 60s of the last century. However, everything here is not as bright as you might imagine. Your task is not only to save some of its inhabitants, but also to find out what really happened in this world.

Mass Effect 1-3

Saving the universe has never been so unpredictable and elaborate. If in the first part we learn about the outside world mainly from dialogues, then the second opens the veil of secrecy and offers choice options not as straightforwardly as its predecessor. The player can customize the character in his own image and likeness, and also become a villain, a hero, or try to find a compromise with himself.

By the way, you can upgrade not only the hero himself, but also his companions, as well as the ship, the equipment of which will also play a very important role from the point of view of the plot. Many criticized the last part for having a very simple ending, but all these people forgot about the 80 hours of incredible adventure that followed it.

Fallout 3-4, New Vegas

The once legendary series of tactical RPGs has been reborn as a first-person shooter. No, don’t think so, all the elements for which we love Fallout so much remain in place, and the first-person view and a very touching plot make us feel even more deeply into the atmosphere of the world after a nuclear war.

The player even has miniature nuclear shells at his disposal, and New Vegas opens up opportunities for weapon modification. Exploring the world will take you more than one week, but there are so many well-developed and memorable characters in it that you definitely won’t regret the time spent.

The Witcher 1-3

The Witcher is primarily remembered for its well-developed game mechanics, as well as its colorful main character - Geralt of Rivia, who demonstrates success not only on the battlefield, but also on the love front.

Side quests here do not look detached: in almost every one of them there is an echo of the main plot, and completing quests not only provides experience, but also significantly complicates decision-making. The third part became the apogee of the series, collected a huge number of awards and did not leave a single real gamer indifferent.

Dragon Age: Origins

This RPG was developed by the same studio as Mass Effect, so don't be surprised by the ability to pause and give orders to each member of your squad. However, high-quality mechanics appealed to those who ignored the science-space action movie, but could not resist the fantasy universe.

When choosing a character, you can get acquainted with his background, but be careful: some of the inhabitants of the world will treat you with prejudice, and some will idolize you, but it’s up to you to decide whether to return good with good.

Mount & Blade: Warband

In principle, the entire series of Mount & Blade games can be distinguished, since there are no significant differences in the game mechanics, but the setting smoothly moves from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. You can become the personal ruler of all kingdoms, or remain a loyal vassal.

The main feature lies directly in the battles: you are in the thick of the action and chop down enemies along with your soldiers, which allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and add adrenaline to your blood. A low bow to the creators for the online mode - spacious maps for 32 vs 32 battles are perfect for large companies.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Skyrim, just a few weeks after its release, was recognized as one of the best RPGs of all time, and we can proudly say that the guys from Bethesda have outdone themselves: cities ruled by jarls, beautiful northern landscapes, and, of course, dragons - everything creates incredible atmosphere.

You are the chosen one, destined to extract souls from powerful monsters that are significantly larger than you with one cry. There are so many side quests here that they will last for several generations, and the additions open up opportunities for building a home and a quiet family life. Believe me, describing this RPG can take several hours, so it’s better for you to immerse yourself in the magical world of Skyrim yourself.

Dark Souls 1-3

If you want to run around with a sword drawn and destroy hordes of monsters with powerful spells, immediately skip this franchise. The creators of Dark Souls sought to show that the main character is as close as possible to an ordinary knight, so in battles with opponents he constantly suffers, and the obsessive death counter forces him to go through the same mission over and over again.

Let us immediately warn you that choosing the wrong skill can cost you your passage, so think carefully about your every action. And one more thing: do not look for gold or credits here, since the local currency is the souls of killed opponents.

Dragon Age II

Although you can choose your name, class, and playstyle, the main catalyst for the plot will always be your desire to restore your reputation and prove to the people of your native land that you are a true hero. As in the previous part, you can assemble a team and take three companions on a mission.

The main difference from other RPGs is the complexity of side quests - some of them even indirectly affect the plot, and opponents sometimes have extraordinary abilities, thanks to which they periodically send your companions to another world. However, the reward is definitely worth the effort.

Borderlands 2

Forget about the nuclear wastelands of Fallout and the picturesque worlds of The Elder Scrolls: in Borderlands 2, in addition to the very noticeable shooter elements, you first of all pay attention to the characters and the abundance of dark humor. Why is this game on the RPG list?

Because here you can make a weapon from almost anything, and there are more fighting styles and story options than many can imagine. The icing on the cake is the thoughtful co-op mode, in which each participant has their own role, and success can only be achieved through well-coordinated interaction.

Torchlight 2

The second part of the franchise was incredibly successful, although in many ways it resembles Diablo. To be honest, Torchlight 2 was very lucky - firstly, the developers came up with an incredibly simple and thoughtful interface, and secondly, the release of Diablo 3 was delayed.

Now about the features of the game. You have 4 different classes to choose from, each of which gives you access to a unique way to progress. You are also accompanied by a pet that can distract enemies while casting a spell, or fight shoulder to shoulder with you. Multiplayer and co-op mode significantly increase replayability.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Yes, again a game from the same series. The reason is simple - this is one of the standard RPGs that will be popular even many years after release. Among the new products is a tactical component, that is, you can send your travelers to other points on the map, where they will carry out your instructions.

Among the disadvantages is the crafting system: it is very cumbersome, but after several weeks spent traveling, you even get used to it. It is also worth paying attention to the plot - it fits harmoniously into the large-scale world, constantly pushing the hero to move forward.

Divinity: Original Sin 1 and 2

The developers of Divinity have often experimented lately, combining RPGs with elements of other genres, but it was in Original Sin that they managed to find the perfect element - a bit of turn-based strategy mechanics.

You are given two characters, but be prepared for the fact that your only companion may not agree with your decisions, which, of course, will affect the gameplay. As expected, all actions affect leveling, but the main thing is that only here you can rob the cat!

Legend of Grimrock 2

If you remember the times when RPGs were called nothing more than “adventure games,” you will definitely like Legend of Grimrock 2. You lead a squad of four prisoners, each of whom can be armed and upgraded.

Possible activities include: fishing, fighting monsters, searching for treasures, and reading the notes of a mysterious ruler. However, your main task is to discover the person who has spent his entire life on this island.

The Banner Saga

The Banner Saga also combines elements of RPG and turn-based strategy, but the range of tools for interacting with other characters and the outside world is much greater. You have to find out why the gods abandoned the mighty Vikings and plunged their homeland into a world of eternal winter.

It is important to pay attention not only to the development of the character, but also to your warriors: monitor their nutrition, arrange passes and raise morale. Although, as a real commander, you need to be prepared for the fact that not everyone will be able to reach the end of the road.

Darkest Dungeon

An excellent option for those who are used to thinking through the strategy of passing a dungeon to the smallest detail, but are already tired of relying on irresponsible allies from MMORPGs. Everything here is extremely simple: we select four allies and begin clearing the dungeons.

However, you won’t be able to beat this game with a battering ram: your companions may experience severe stress, panic, or even get sick, which forces you to carefully plan every step. After all, the loss of a fighter, especially in conditions where the enemy outnumbers you, can be critical.

Shadowrun: Dragonfall

This game is an explosive mixture of classic fantasy and the world of the future. You need to destroy the main enemy, who is threatening to kill all the local residents. And if it were some kind of villain, or artificial intelligence, everything is logical, but, suddenly, the main antagonist is a dragon.

And even if you complete Shadowrun: Dragonfall in about 20 hours, it will leave behind a lot of positive impressions. The developers push us to dialogue with each inhabitant of this world, stimulating us to get into the atmosphere, solve a few puzzles, or uncover a conspiracy.

The best RPGs for PC guarantee hundreds of hours of exciting adventures in one of the main genres of the platform.

Here are the best RPGs for PC. Role-playing games have always been considered the cornerstone of PC gaming. Long before the advent of shooters and real-time strategy games, early PC game developers meticulously brought tabletop RPGs into the virtual world, creating action-packed adventures featuring orcs, wizards, and dangerous caves.

These games gradually expanded upon the worlds of their tabletop prototypes, and the RPG genre itself eventually became so popular that games in other genres began to borrow various mechanics and elements from it.

Whenever we put together a list of the best games in a genre, the first thing we try to do is understand what defines a “best” game. In this case, the main criterion is the fascination of a particular RPG by modern standards. By the way, this applies to all games of any other genre.

Of course, we do not forget about the impact of the game - but innovation and relevance to the industry are not the main criteria for selection.

Finding pure RPGs is quite difficult, because, if you follow the literal definition, every game can be called a role-playing game.

That's why this list features games that fit the canonical definition of an RPG - they put story first, and they put you into the role of a character, developing them through skill points, making dialogue decisions, and building complex relationships with companions or non-playable characters. This framework allowed us to narrow down the list of games, although we made a few exceptions for the most prominent representatives of the genre.

Release year: 2015 | Developer: CD Projekt Red | Buy

Many RPGs feature lonely wanderers as protagonists, but rarely do you come across a game with a story told as skillfully as The Witcher 3. This is primarily due to the picturesque setting, where you can admire sunsets and incredibly beautiful forests for a long time - Even after months of playing, I prefer to navigate this world on foot, ignoring fast travel points.

But The Witcher 3's greatest strength lies in the fact that these lush landscapes are populated by NPCs who give out modest but memorable quests, making it one of the liveliest RPGs on the gaming market. In a godforsaken village, the witcher Geralt may stumble upon impoverished elves who have become victims of racism; in another location, he can help a stylish baron reunite with his daughter. Such quests carry an important moral, and it is presented quite unobtrusively.

As in The Witcher 2, Geralt has his own goals and aspirations that are understandable to any player. Therefore, even when killing dangerous monsters and powerful opponents, he does not seem like a superhero. Before us is an ordinary (well, almost) person in unusual circumstances, and it is this fact that makes us empathize with him.

Release year: 2017 | Developer: Larian Studios | Buy

Larian Studios, known primarily as a creator of board games, rarely delights its fans with RPGs with complete freedom of action. That is why this list could not do without Divinity: Original Sin 2, because in this game you can do whatever comes to your mind. For example, kidnap a merchant using a teleportation spell, and then set him on fire using his own blood.

Almost every skill has an alternative (and sometimes quite unexpected) use that can be revealed in the heat of battle.

You can enjoy the crazy experiments and tactical battles in the game with up to four people, and the best part is that you don't have to work in a team or be located in the same part of the world.

Moreover, there are many reasons to fight against each other. It all depends on the player himself, and when four people join the game at once, collisions are inevitable. Just remember: if you decide to freeze your friends and then poison them, be sure to apologize for this action.

Release year: 2015 | Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Buy

There isn't much innovation in Pillars of Eternity; in fact, the game owes its existence to the general nostalgia for Baldur's Gate II on the outdated Infinity Engine. But nevertheless, Pillars of Eternity, even without bright innovations, became a hit.

The graphics here are reminiscent of examples from the 90s, but the game script is simply masterful. Obsidian Entertainment has managed to create a wonderful (if lacking in humor) story that gracefully touches on themes of religious conflict and social inequality. And almost every corner of the virtual world has its own backstory.

It is worth noting the excellent voice acting, which was replenished with new lines in the latest patch. The game is incredibly difficult in places, and even in the easiest modes you will have to time your attacks and parries so as not to die in battles against several enemies. And there is nothing wrong with that - in an era of excessive lightness of games, Pillars of Eternity looks bright and original.

Release year: 2019 | Developer: Nine Dots Studio | Buy

Outward immediately rids the player of the self-centered messiah complex that is so common and familiar from many representatives of the Action-RPG genre. While your average heroes are clearing out a bandit camp before lunch and saving the world before dinner, Outward stops you in your tracks and reminds you that no, you can't just go out and kick a couple of wolves without some training. Mastering the routine battles of any other RPG, learned through a basic tutorial, is a real achievement in Outward.

Worse—or better, we think—Outward autosaves all the time. Your mistakes cannot be corrected, and inevitable death cannot be avoided by loading a previous save. A cruel mixture of Dark Souls and Minecraft, sending the player far back after each death and forcing him to scrupulously recall the previously traveled path, so as not to be left without dropped equipment and progress made.

An interesting detail in Outward's magic system is that you will be forced to sacrifice your own health on a regular basis for the sake of magical enhancement. Spells are difficult to obtain, expensive to acquire, and even the ability to conjure a simple fireball will be an unprecedented luxury.

Split-screen or online co-op is another unconventional element that brings new challenges and new fun to the concept of becoming a hero.

Release year: 2015 | Developer: Failbetter Games | Buy

There is no other place like the Undersea. The eerie underground ocean that serves as the setting for Sunless Sea is a vast abyss full of horrors and dangers that would drive even the bravest sailors crazy. In your rickety little boat, you navigate murky waters, trading, fighting, and having extraordinary adventures on islands inhabited by giant mushrooms or rats waging a civil war.

Sunless Sea looks really impressive in places, but all its charm lies not in the visuals, but in the text. Like the browser game Fallen London from the same developer, Sunless Sea is filled with interestingly written quests, dialogues and descriptions. And he doesn't limit himself to the atmosphere of gothic horror. Your journey through the Undersea will both frighten and amuse you. But even in moments of fun, something sinister will be lurking nearby. Something that disturbs the usual peace.

Release year: 2014 | Developer: Obsidian | Buy

This game was not supposed to be successful. Most licensed projects turn out to be terrible, and an RPG based on an animated series with elaborate animation and lots of swearing was doomed to failure. But Stick of Truth suddenly became a hit, and the reason for this was Obsidian's competent work on integrating the world of South Park into the RPG framework.

We assemble our squad using a Facebook-style interface, complete quests like “Deliver a package to Mr. Masochist,” experience nausea during battles, etc. This is not the deepest RPG in this collection, but it is one of the most fun. In addition, it is perfect for those who want to get acquainted with the genre.

Release year: 2001 | Developer: Ion Storm Dallas | Buy

Former id Software designer Tom Hall was at the helm of his first and only game, created under the wing of the studio Ion Storm. He wanted to release a turn-based RPG similar to Final Fantasy, but in a Western setting.

It was this style that made Anachronox so memorable: just look at the incredibly funny negotiations between Sly Boots and the sock-chewing mutant leader. In addition, this is perhaps the only game on the list in which you can add an entire planet to your squad.

Ion Storm built the game on a heavily modified version of the Quake 2 engine, and the project looked extremely unusual. But even today, the boxy models look convincing, and their facial animations make you believe what's happening.

For example, the resigned expression on Sly’s face when he is thrown out of the window of his own office looks simply brilliant. Yes, the development of the project was far from smooth, and the final version of the game turned out to be frankly crude, but Anachronox is still interesting to play through. It's a shame that Hall's planned sequels never saw the light of day.

Release year: 2018 | Developer: Warhorse Studios | Buy

In this historical RPG set in 1403 Bohemia, we play as a peasant named Henry who finds himself caught up in a war for his homeland. This is a detailed RPG with a deeply developed sword fighting system, mechanics of thirst and hunger, excellent crafting and a dozen slots for the most authentic equipment for that time.

The player is given surprisingly great freedom here. If you just want to wander through the forests and pick mushrooms for sale, then no one is stopping you - the main thing is to beware of bandits who like to rob single people. The game is far from perfect - it has plenty of bugs and questionable moments - but it is an RPG in the spirit of the Elder Scrolls. For the sake of the overall atmosphere, the project can be forgiven for its shortcomings.

Release year: 2016 | Developer: Crate Entertainment | Buy

If you've already explored every corner of Diablo 2 and want something modern in the same spirit, then you won't find a better game than this. Grim Dawn is a dark and addictive action RPG with interesting classes and a beautiful world full of various monsters. In some ways, this is the ideological successor to Titan Quest, created by the same designers and using familiar mechanics.

We remember these mechanics in the 2006 ARPG dedicated to Greek mythology. In Grim Dawn you can also choose two classes and distribute skill points between them. This allows you to create quite interesting combinations, and the skills themselves are very pleasant to use in practice - and this is a big plus for a game where combat plays a primary role.

And the plot itself is not bad, if you start from ARPG standards. Don't expect any sudden twists or decisions with far-reaching consequences (after all, this is a game about single-handedly clearing out a world infested with monsters), but there is a reputation system that affects the difficulty of enemies. In other words, the more enemies you kill, the stronger will be the new criminals, cult members and monsters you meet along the way.

Local demons and warlords terrorizing certain areas of the world are well depicted in dialog boxes and diaries scattered throughout the locations. The game itself is focused on killing and collecting items, and both of these components work as efficiently as possible in Grim Dawn.

Release date: 2018 | Developer: Square Enix | Buy

The smartest game in the Final Fantasy series in 2018 finally got a ported version for PC. Unfortunately, the local open world is much inferior in scale and vibrancy to more modern projects, but the graphics still look amazing, and the “Gambit” system remains one of the most fun squad leveling systems in RPG history.

With its help, you can write commands that will be automatically followed by members of your squad in battle. You can create any characters and upgrade them in any direction. Under your control, Vaan can become both a specialist in two-handed swords and a magician who commands the elements. The ported version also has an accelerated mode, which allows you to save time on pumping.

Release year: 2014 | Developer: Almost Human Games | Buy

The original Legend of Grimrock was wonderful, first of all, with its system of creating squads, familiar from Dungeon Master (where the characteristics of the heroes played a big role) and step-by-step exploration of the world. The only drawback of the project was that all its action was limited to dungeons. The enemies may have changed, but we still wandered along the same corridors until the very end of the game.

The sequel invites us to walk not only through dark caves, but also through the open world, which in total gives an unforgettable experience. The enemies here have become more dangerous, and the puzzles have become more difficult. As with the original, the element of surprise plays a huge role. You can joyfully kill enemies in batches without feeling any resistance, until suddenly you are faced with an almost immortal demon. And in a second, your heels sparkling, you will understand that retreat is not as shameful as it seemed before.

Release year: 2015 | Developer: tobyfox | Buy

In the first 20 minutes of playthrough, Undertale seems like another nod to popular JRPGs - here you have jokes about Earthbound with Final Fantasy, and cute angular graphics, and a general cloying atmosphere. But if you decide to play the game to the end (and realize that it's not so sweet and sweet), you will see that this is an innovative and very touching project.

At times, the game cleverly pushes you out of your comfort zone, remembering little things and using our expectations of a typical RPG to surprise, delight, or terrify us. More than just a respectful nod to the RPG genre, it's a heartfelt message to all RPG fans and an exploration of our relationship with games.

Undertale clearly stands out among other indie RPGs, because even despite the atypical combat system and the virtual absence of a skill tree and hero levels, it has the most important thing: a smart presentation of the story and respect for the player’s choices.

Release year: 2016 | Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Buy

Tyranny turned out to be not as outstanding as its similar spirit Pillars of Eternity, but the game's setting makes it stand out from other RPGs. Here we play as the true embodiment of evil, but instead of sadism and cruelty, Tyranny focuses on cold bureaucracy and questions of ideology. As the “Master of Fates” who serves Lord Kairos, you regularly need to make various decisions and negotiate with enemy armies that do not want to submit to the forces of evil.
Often you have to find a compromise between cruelty and complete inaction. The game has a complex reputation system, where, unlike other morality systems, fear and loyalty are important elements of interaction with factions and allies.

As with Pillars, Tyranny's pauseable combat and isometric fantasy world pay homage to classic RPGs in ways that aren't just nostalgic, but creative and timely reimaginings of the genre's once-essential attributes.

Release year: 2013 | Developer: Grinding Gear Games | Download

This beautiful free-to-play action RPG is a paradise for players who love to create fearsome murder weapons. While not the most glamorous ARPG, the game has an incredibly deep progression system and a thoughtful free-to-play model, where paid content is purely cosmetic and does not affect the game experience in any way. And although the game looks a little untidy, and the battles in it are noticeably inferior to the battles in Diablo 3, the pleasure of playing through this RPG is guaranteed.

The multi-level mechanics of Path of Exile reveal themselves already on the hero leveling screen, which can be seen in the screenshot at the link. By fighting your way through crowds of enemies and leveling up your character, you gradually fill this huge board, honing this or that skill. Gear customization is done with the same attention to detail. Path of Exile borrows the concept of interconnected slots from Final Fantasy VII.

Each type of weapon and armor has several slots for magic crystals. These crystals, if distributed in the correct order, have powerful synergy and in total provide significant bonuses to attack parameters (strength, speed, etc.). Ideally, you'll want to somehow combine these bonuses with your skills to achieve maximum effectiveness in combat. Of course, you will have to work hard for this, but believe me, it’s worth it.

Release year: 2016 | Developer: Red Hook Studios | Buy

The first minutes in Darkest Dungeon are in many ways reminiscent of a campaign in XCOM: we assemble a squad of fighters, come up with beautiful names for them, select powerful equipment and send them into battle. And then we understand the depth of our naivety. Within minutes, your favorite character suddenly contracts syphilis. And your healer exhibits masochistic tendencies and inflicts damage on himself every turn.

Your plague doctor discovers his greed and fills his pockets with gold from the common chest. And after a couple of hours, your team turns from flawless heroes into a bunch of outcasts - in this situation, you either look for an individual approach to everyone, or simply use them until they break and replace them with new ones. Like batteries.

In , heavily inspired by the works of Lovecraft, it is important to be able to make brutal but effective decisions. Your heroes will die at the hands of underwater inhabitants, cultists, demons and monsters, but even more often they will return to base with a damaged mind and on the verge of madness. Will you spend gold to try to cure them, or will you prefer to use resources to achieve the end goal?

Darkest Dungeon is a brilliant combination of visual style, sound, story and design. They flash on the screen every now and then

hand-drawn monsters, and their appearance affects each of the heroes. It's a complex game, but once you realize that everyone here can be used up (even the kleptomaniac nun you've developed a strong attachment to), the violence becomes a breeding ground for creating mini-stories within one larger plot. “Overconfidence is a slow, sneaky killer,” as the narrator reminds us.

Release year: 2009 | Developer: TaleWorlds | Buy

The number of games in which medieval battles are presented properly can be counted on one hand, and there are even fewer games where the ability to create armies is added to this. Training a crowd of farmers into warriors is great, but what we love about Mount & Blade is that it lets us play as a hero on the battlefield, where the outcome of the battle depends on our skills.

Add to this the ability to create alliances, marry, manage the economy, and you get Warband - a thoughtful game where the number of enemies and allies is determined by the player’s actions. And when you get tired of the single-player game, multiplayer and many mods for Mount & Blade await you - including those dedicated to a galaxy far, far away.

Release year: 2003 |Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Buy

We love BioWare's original 2002 Neverwinter Nights (and especially its expansions), but Neverwinter Nights 2's single-player campaign is far superior. If the original had a rather weak story mode, created rather to demonstrate the potential of the Dungeons & Dragons universe, then in the sequel Obsidian Entertainment, no longer shy about anything, presented a large-scale story.

And this story is presented with proper humor, and allies like a colorful dwarf named Helgar Iron Fist continue to delight today. The quality of the project grew as new additions were released. For example, in the brilliant add-on Shadow of the Betrayer, where the spirit of the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past can be traced, the plot tells the story of two halves of one world, and Obsidian elegantly speaks on the topics of religion and faith.

Release year: 2002 | Developer: Piranha Bytes | Buy

We remember Gothic 2 as an open world of incredible proportions and a harsh attitude towards the player. The first time I played through it, I left the city, turned off the main road and came across a crowd of high-level monsters that tore me to pieces in a couple of seconds. I learned from mistakes like these throughout the game.

The severity of Gothic 2 is one of the main advantages of the project. The enemies here don't adjust to your level like in the Elder Scrolls series, and you'll have to carefully read quest descriptions and dialogue with NPCs you meet along the way. Once you get used to it (and get used to the inconvenient controls), you will understand that in front of you is a huge (and, most importantly, living) RPG world, having studied all the secrets of which you will become invincible.

Release year: 2012 | Developer: Bethesda Softworks | Buy

Choose a direction and run. You will probably immediately find some adventure, some piece of the vast world that will captivate you. It is this richness of content that attracts Skyrim. A trip to the Mages Guild will end with an exciting quest for knowledge. A random conversation with a random NPC will lead you to a cave at the edge of the world, where a legendary relic is gathering dust.

You might just be picking berries under a mountain and run into a dragon. What could be better than a sudden battle with a dragon? And if you somehow find yourself exploring all of Bethesda's content, head over to the Steam Workshop for the latest mods - the Skyrim community has kept the game in the Steam Top 100 since its release and has given us the opportunity to experience new adventures in a familiar world.

Release date: 2018 | Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Buy

In the sequel to the wonderful Pillars of Eternity, we will travel to the Deadfire archipelago. You, together with a company of desperate adventurers, will have to track down the raging god, but before that you will have to master all the intricacies of navigation. While sailing the ocean on the ship “Daring”, you can rob oncoming ships and spend the funds received on upgrading your ship.

When entering the port, the game switches to a top-down mode (like in classic RPGs) so that you can enjoy the locations, detailed and rich in details.

Release year: 1992 | Developer: Blue Sky Productions (aka Looking Glass Studios) | Buy

Once upon a time, designer Paul Nurath came up with the concept of a dungeon simulator that was supposed to turn traditional ideas about role-playing games upside down, calling it Underworld. Together with their team, which would later become the foundation of Looking Glass Studios, they created a game with puzzles and NPC interactions atypical for the genre.

Meanwhile, Origin Systems, the studio behind Ultima, was so impressed by the 3D engine (you could look up and down!) and first-person combat that they bought the rights to the game. This is how The Stygian Abyss was born. Characters that would be enemies in any other game are our allies in Underworld, and that's honestly something to be excited about.

It is no longer necessary to attack goblins here - you can dive with them. And when we saw that you could have gatherings around the fire here, we simply fell in love with the game. Underworld was a technological marvel in 1992, and although the graphics look dated today, the incredible joy of exploring the world of Stygian Abyss has not gone away.

Release year: 2014 | Developer: Larian Studios | Buy

Divinity is not your typical Kickstarter success story. Unlike most RPGs, the project was developed directly for co-op - even in the single-player version, you controlled two protagonists at once, keeping in mind their motivations during dialogues. The Larian studio worked out the dialogues in such a way that one of the heroes always disagreed with the decision of the second and could even kill a plot-important NPC, and therefore the tasks in the quests had to be solved in extraordinary ways.

Divinity's script deserves special praise. Of course, there were sometimes typical missions to kill goblins controlling huge robots, or quests where you had to talk to some dog. But this dog could tell a touching story, because of which it was not a sin to shed a stingy tear. Larian created the world of Divinity with soul, and it shows in every detail. This is a loose, rich RPG we haven't seen since Ultima, and it has everything we love about the genre.

Release year: 2005 | Developer: Obsidian | Buy

While BioWare's first KOTOR stuck to the classic Star Wars style, KOTOR 2 takes the franchise in a bolder direction. Instead of focusing on the light and dark sides of the Force, Obsidian's sequel is about shades of gray. Here fragile alliances are created, which collapse before our eyes and are reunited in a few minutes.

Decisions that seemed optimal to you ultimately lead to betrayal. What we end up with is the most controversial take on the world of Star Wars yet, with a superbly written antagonist. Like many early Obsidian games, KOTOR 2's complex development process meant that a number of locations had to be cut.

However, there is a fan mod that restores this content, including the droid planet, and also fixes a number of bugs - all this shows that PC gamers are willing to move mountains to get the full version of their favorite game.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Release year: 2004 | Developer: Troika | Buy

It's all about the atmosphere - from the gothic clubs where we meet contacts, to the dark alleys where we hunt for fresh blood, and the cursed hotel (which is associated with one of the best quests in the game). Bloodlines' ambitious vampire universe stands apart from other sword-and-sorcery RPGs.

Unfortunately, the ambitions of the Troika studio exceeded its abilities - the game is full of bugs and not fully thought out mechanics. Therefore, the final product turned out to be a little crude, but this is perhaps the only game in which you can really feel like a vampire. And therefore, it is deservedly considered a cult classic RPG, and its fan base regularly releases various patches and additions that improve the project.

Release year: 2014 | Developer: Blizzard | Buy

Let's face it: a fan auction to raise money for Diablo 3 was a bad idea. But this is where the list of minuses of the game actually ends. Blizzard's fundraising continued right up until the release of Reaper of Souls, and if it weren't for Adventure Mode, there's a good chance the game would have been labeled a disappointing sequel.

The beauty of this mode lies in the randomly generated tasks and locations, so even after completing the main campaign you can lose yourself in the game for several hundred hours. And today it’s hard to imagine Diablo 3 without this mode.

But RoS had another feature we love in action RPGs: guild support. When you communicate with friends, making your way through gloomy dungeons, the oppressive feeling of loneliness disappears, and at such moments you begin to understand Blizzard's policy of releasing games that require a constant connection to the network. And don’t forget about the spectacular battles and the varied skills of the heroes. RoS is the kind of action RPG that we are ready to play for days on end.

Release year: 2001 |Developer: Troika Games | Buy

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura was incredibly buggy at release, with most of the battles being as unbalanced as the game's title. Patches and mods corrected the situation, showing how interesting a mixture of fantasy and steampunk was hidden behind the game's numerous glitches.

As we wrote in our review back in 2001: “if you can’t find anything attractive in this game, just throw your PC in the trash.”

And we still adhere to this opinion. Arcanum was gritty and brutal before it was fashionable, and the character editor here allowed you to create anyone - from dwarves with a gambling addiction to rogue orcs collecting deadly devices from junk.

Add here non-linear progression and many options for completing the same quest and you get a masterpiece that, even 17 years later, can take your breath away.

Release year: 2010 | Developer: Obsidian | Buy

Although Fallout 3 was a very successful game, it was very different from the classics released by Interplay. Obsidian's project brought the franchise to the West Coast and introduced elements such as reputation and faction combat. Obsidian has expanded every aspect of Bethesda's game, shifting the focus from moral choices to issues of trust. The game also has more humor in the spirit of the classic games - how can you not love a game that gives you a nuclear rocket launcher?

And in the Hardcore mode in New Vegas, survival in the wasteland became even more interesting, because here first aid kits and anti-radin were much weaker than in normal mode. And if you're looking for variety, you can download any of the many mods, one of which was developed by Josh Sawyer himself, the author of the game. What we love most about New Vegas is how effortlessly it manages to combine the atmosphere of the original Fallout with the first-person RPG framework that Bethesda has introduced.

Release year: 2016 | Developer: From Software | Buy

Name any dark RPG of the last five years, and it's likely to be inspired by Dark Souls. However, Dark Souls 3 proves that this style is best handled by the studio. Of course, the project does not shine with originality, as was the case with Dark Souls 1, but it has noticeably improved from a technical point of view.

Control in battles here is more intuitive, and therefore the player is required to have a lightning-fast reaction and a clear understanding of his actions. Mindlessly hitting the buttons will inevitably lead to death. At the same time, Dark Souls 3 is the most beginner-friendly part of the series.

Frequent save points, simplified online co-op, a beautiful (and grotesque) drawing style - all this allows you to join the process from the very first minutes. In addition, Dark Souls 3 strongly encourages the study of the backstory of the world and the search for various secrets, which deservedly makes it the best part in the series.

Release year: 2011 | Developer: CD Projekt Red | Buy

The epic scope of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is great in itself, but what's important is that our decisions have enormous implications. Moral ambiguity has never been presented so gracefully: your choices literally change the world of the game, and their consequences are often unpredictable and not always what you expect.

The most impressive thing about The Witcher 2 is the presence of two full-fledged storylines. At the beginning of the game, Geralt will have to make a choice, after which he will take one of two sides, and all further events can be observed from two points of view if you decide to go through the game again. And, believe me, the second playthrough will be as bright as the first.

You probably think that all your misadventures will ultimately lead you to a happy ending? This is wrong. Geralt is far from a hero, he is an ordinary person trying with all his might to protect himself from the chaos happening around him. His quest is dedicated to personal goals, and his companions are the same living people with their own goals and aspirations. And it is precisely because of the characters worked out to the smallest detail that the plot looks extremely convincing.

It's a wonderful and well-told story, layered with solid gameplay mechanics - a flexible character development system, an excellent combat system and an abundance of secondary content. Gloomy, cruel, and sometimes depressing, but at the same time a brilliant game.

Release year: 2009 | Developer: BioWare | Buy

Trying to convey the atmosphere of Baldur's Gate was the main task of the authors of Dragon Age, and, admittedly, they almost succeeded. The game world is similar to the Forgotten Realms universe, but at the same time it does not look like a parody of it, and the interactions between the heroes sparkle with the magic of BioWare.

The local evil looks really menacing, even though most of the monsters can be destroyed in just a couple of hits. We love the way magic is presented in the world of Dragon Age, especially the quests in which you need to decide the fate of creepy creatures - magicians possessed by demons.
And the best part of the game is the combat system: there is the necessary tactical depth (right during the battle you can stop, give orders and continue the battle).

It's sad that BioWare didn't make more RPGs like this - Dragon Age 2 was too straightforward, and Inquisition had a big emphasis on an open world - so this project can in some ways be called the swan song of the old BioWare, symbolizing the end of an era of classic game design.

Release year: 1999 | Developer: Irrational Games | Buy

Loneliness. This is the main feeling you experience when playing the debut project from Irrational. As the game progresses, you'll often hear audio clips of colorful characters battling eerie creatures that call themselves "The Many." But you won't meet these heroes because they have already died.
And this loneliness in Shock 2 is only intensified by the fact that the game constantly leaves you without resources.

Ammo? You'll probably spend it on droids, although it would be worth saving them for later. First aid kits? There are so few of them here that it’s better not to even go into unchecked rooms. But the main thing that Irrational will take away from you somewhere in the middle of the playthrough is hope. The moment you realize what the AI ​​called Shodan is is deservedly considered one of the best in the history of gaming.

In all projects from Irrational, the environment is one of the full-fledged heroes, and in this case we are talking about the Von Braun starship. It creaks and rattles as you sneak through its corridors. Each door opens with a characteristic hum. The defense systems perceive you as an enemy, as if they think you want to harm the ship.

It's hard to like a character like that, but Shock 2's leveling system, where experience points are awarded for exploring locations, allows you to balance risk and reward. You'll have to choose between psionic, hacking, and military skills to be most effective. For a game that at first glance appears to be a straightforward action RPG, Shock 2 turns out to be truly deep.

Release year: 1992 | Developer: Origin Systems | Buy

The Guardian is remembered by many gamers as one of the most terrifying characters in games. His huge stone face appearing on the screen, accompanied by real voice acting, both scared us and encouraged us to play further.

It was a real technical breakthrough at the time, but Ultima 7 has stood the test of time thanks to Britain's interactivity. Any object on the screen could be picked up, and any NPC could be interacted with, and therefore the passage could take several weeks.

The plot did not lag behind either: it all began with an investigation into a double murder, but very soon it turned into a religious war for the fate of the kingdom. The dialogue in Black Gate still looks decent today, and it also inspired the creators of Divinity: Original Sin - especially the lines related to religion. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best parts of the legendary RPG franchise.

Release year: 2000 | Developer: Ion Storm Austin | Buy

Do you want to shoot your enemies openly or perhaps sneak around in the shadows? Are you more used to playing as a sniper? Or a hacker who can control enemy droids? Or maybe you should talk to the NPC guard and hint to him that it’s time for his squad to go to lunch? The world in Deus Ex is so free that the number of choices makes your head spin.

And although the game looks like a shooter, the whole point of Deus Ex is the role-playing elements. For example, if you shoot from a weapon that you have never held in your hands before, even perfect aiming will not save you - you will miss. The leveling system encourages experimentation, and the most expensive upgrades will turn your character into a superhero. Even your weapon, if desired, can be upgraded to turn a standard pistol into a weapon of mass destruction. The attention to detail here is outstanding and none of the game's elements feel out of place.

The world of Deus Ex rewards the player for exploring dark alleys and ventilation systems, as clues can be found in the most unexpected places. And there are plenty of clues here - every note or sign in the game hints at a new conspiracy, which is why all alliances between the heroes are constantly under threat. And the NPCs themselves fit perfectly into this world full of secrets and conspiracies. Of course, Human Revolution boasts excellent graphics, but this game is many times smarter and offers more freedom of action.

Release year: 2002 | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Buy

The release of Fallout 4 showed that Bethesda's traditional open world model was beginning to show serious flaws, but in 2002, when Morrowind hit store shelves, that model was unshakable. There was something magical about the fact that we could run around the entire island of Vvardenfell, enter every building and never stumble upon a loading screen, as well as the fact that the NPC heroes seemed to have their own lives, not limited to communicating with main character.

Many games have managed to replicate this effect over the years, but Morrowind is still very much alive in our memories (we like it even more than its successor, Oblivion). All this thanks to the incredible surrealism of the world, in which racist elves relax inside mushrooms (like Smurfs in someone's acid dreams), and traditional castles coexist with Scandinavian villages.

The AI ​​seems a little primitive by modern standards, but the stories told in the game are superior to most current RPGs.

The game is still thriving today, with the modding community regularly releasing new adventures and patches to improve the graphics (some of them even porting Morrowind to entirely new game engines).

Release year: 2010 | Developer: BioWare | Buy

BioWare's first Mass Effect felt like a KOTOR clone, and not in a good way. The universe was very convincing, but the game was overloaded with various menus and systems that made life difficult for the average gamer. However, when BioWare announced that it would focus on gunplay in the second game, we were pretty scared. As it turned out, it was in vain: in Mass Effect 2 there was room for interesting innovations, including the level of trust of squad members, which could be increased by completing special missions.

Instead of exploring the galaxy in Mass Effect 2, we played out a sci-fi version of Ocean's 11 or The Dirty Dozen. Assembling the squad for the final mission allowed the writers to focus on short but interesting stories. Each special mission allowed us to get to know another ally better and gain insight into his motivation.

That’s why the final suicide run hit the heart – we worried about each of the characters on the screen. It's very rare for a game to focus on the characters rather than the overall story, but Mass Effect 2 pulled off this trick. Definitely one of the best scripts in BioWare history.

Release year: 2011 | Developer: From Software | Buy

Yes, Dark Souls breaks the cardinal rule of RPGs: the game can be completed without leveling up. But only on the condition that you know all its secrets and understand its systems - in particular the crafting system. In a genre where the interaction of systems rules the roost, Dark Souls can be called the king, since the interaction of these systems in the game is implemented flawlessly.

Each stat has a significant impact on the character's leveling, and this alone sets the game apart from most D&D-inspired RPGs. Exploring the rich world of Lordran, where the backstory is presented through cryptic dialogue and clues in the environment that are not obvious at first glance, we piece together quite an impressive story.

Everything here is interconnected, and various secrets and secret passages (hiding huge locations) await brave adventurers. It’s also worth noting the summoning system in Dark Souls, unique to the genre, which you can either turn off or get used to the fact that other players will regularly attack you. And don't be afraid of difficulty, otherwise you'll be robbing yourself of the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the best RPGs in history.

Release year: 1998 | Developer: Black Isle Studios | Buy

The original Fallout was Interplay's first success, but the game was not as popular as one might think. The sequel significantly expanded the boundaries of the world and added ambiguity to all the characters - it became even more difficult to distinguish between good and evil.

Playing as a villager instead of a bunker dweller, we looked at the world with different eyes - the hero was not so naive and was well aware of all the dangers of the world, and therefore could play on the feelings and expectations of other characters.

The search for the GECK (Generator of Edenic Tabernacles Compact) fit well into the style of the 50s and looked even more interesting than the search for the water chip from the first part. I was also pleased by the absence of a strict time frame: I could leisurely study the population of the wasteland, and not rush as fast as I could to an abandoned bunker. If you have not played the classic parts, we recommend starting with this one, and only then moving on to the original.

Release year: 2000 | Developer: BioWare | Buy

The main problem with D&D games is that low-level characters tend to be pretty boring. Baldur's Gate 2 solves this problem by offering to transfer your party from the first game or create a new group with seventh level characters. And this radically changes the perception of the game: instead of frail fighters and useless magicians, we get powerful spells and tough warriors who can withstand any battle.

The amazing scale of the world of Amn is also pleasing, which was full of quests and quite interesting content. BioWare's Infinity Engine did an excellent job both with these quests and with depicting battles where it was necessary to actively use tactics with strategy. It's hard to imagine managing a squad of six people without the ability to pause the game and give orders.

Every modern game without this feature makes us longingly remember the days of the Infinity Engine. Yes, this is where the tradition of RPG romances began, but there's nothing wrong with that - after all, BG2 features some pretty colorful characters.

If for some reason you have never played tabletop RPGs, then just install Baldur’s Gate 2 - the atmosphere of sword and sorcery is perfectly captured here. If you have the original version, you can download mods to run it on modern monitors, or, alternatively, try the Extended Edition, which includes a ton of new content.

Release year: 1999 | Developer: Black Isle Studios | Buy

The story of the Nameless One occupies a separate place in the world of gaming. This is a story of redemption in the face of countless sins, a story of trying to become oneself. The tattoos that Nameless One wears are reminders of who he was, who he is, and who he wants to become.

The free interpretation of events in Planescape: Torment is the first thing that attracts you in the game. We literally spend the entire game trying to find out who the Nameless One is, but at the same time, we define his character through our actions. This is just one of many RPG stereotypes that Black Isle is turning on its head.

Rats here turn out to be worthy opponents, people, as it turns out, can be worse than the undead, and you don’t have to fight at all to win many battles. And, more importantly, we don't have to save the world like in thousands of other RPGs. We just need to figure out who we are.

The Nameless One's companions are perhaps the most interesting NPCs in the history of the genre. Most of them have already encountered us in our past incarnations: the pyromaniac magician Ignus was once our student, but what is much more interesting is the fact that he is constantly on fire. Or Dak'kon, who swore an oath of allegiance to us, but cannot remember why he did it.

The rest of the characters are even more unusual. There is Fallen Grace here - a succubus cleric who does not recognize the gods. Being the product of evil, she, oddly enough, does not want to harm anyone. But the best of the companions is Mort - a floating skull, whose sarcasm is as sharp as his teeth (with which he attacks - he can’t swing a sword).

In any other fantasy world, these characters would look at least strange, but Torment uses a D&D setting called Planescape - the most bizarre world in the entire multiverse. Therefore, it is no wonder that the main emphasis in Torment is on the presentation of the story.

Although, when it comes to combat, BioWare's Infinity Engine handles them just as well as in the Baldur's Gate series. This is an RPG we recommend to anyone interested in the genre, a game that embodies everything we love about RPGs.

Release year: 2002 | Developer: Arkane Studios | Buy

When creating their first dungeon simulator, Arkane wanted to create something as rich as Ultima Underworld with its magic system, where the player had to memorize runes and draw them with the mouse at the right time. In this game, stealth is critical, as is the crafting system, made in the spirit of the same Underworld. Arx is a complex and leisurely adventure in which you have to think about every action you take. Break through the gorgons using force, or slip through unnoticed and avoid conflict?

Many design decisions will later find their place in another Arkane project - Dishonored, but we cannot fail to mention the classic mechanics that are almost never used today. For example, the need to draw runes on the screen with the mouse - yes, this is not entirely convenient, but it looks spectacular. We hope that Arkane will finally decide to make a sequel to Arx Fatalis and bring mechanics from Dishonored (as well as the excellent combat system from Dark Messiah of Might & Magic) into it.

RPG games with strategy elements on PC are a great option for gamers who want to challenge their wits and endurance. There is both freedom of action and the possibility of tactical role-playing, bringing to the gameplay that dynamics and depth that are sometimes so lacking in projects with a narrow focus.

We present to our readers a list of the best games that combine two unique genres: RPG and Strategy. Note that this is not the top 100 RPGs with strategy elements on PC - tops with similar titles can often be found on the Internet. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that we will be able to recruit such a large number of worthy projects. Despite the success of both genres individually, truly outstanding hybrid games don't come out very often. Today we're sharing a relatively short list of strategy RPGs on PC that every avid PC gamer should play at least once. If our recommendations suit your taste, then we advise you to pay attention to other tops. Let's go!

Pillars of Eternity

An exciting old-school game from the developers of Obsidian Entertainment, which will offer you to plunge into the virtual world of a real “dark fantasy”. The events of the game take us to the fictional universe of Eora, where an incomprehensible supernatural attack is raging with might and main. The fact is that from a certain time all children in Deerwood began to be born without a soul. Nobody knows how to stop this terrible “disease” and prevent the birth of “empty-born”. We, in turn, play as a protagonist with the unique gift of the Guardian - he knows how to come into contact with other people's souls and look into other people's lives. It is the main character who will have to get to the truth and put an end to the curse that has struck innocent children.

Tyranny

Another worthy project in the RPG genre with strategy elements from Obsidian Entertainment, whose release took place just a year after Pillars of Eternity. The events of the game also take place in a fictional fantasy world, but it has nothing in common with the world from “The Pillars of Eternity.” According to the plot, most of the territories were captured by the sinister ruler Kairos. We take on the role of the Master of Fates - a hero who is one of the close servants of Kairos and who is tasked with establishing order in the recently captured region. Tyranny, like Pillars of Eternity, has an isometric view and similar tactical gameplay.

Divinity: Original Sin II

The next best strategy RPG on our list will definitely appeal to all fans of party-based RPG adventures. D: OS II is a direct continuation of the cult Divinity series, developed by talented developers from Larian Studios through the Kickstarter service.

The second part of Divinity: Original Sin managed to retain all the best from the original game, while adding many new great innovations. Players have the opportunity to engage in detailed customization of their character, who must go towards exciting adventures and unprecedented dangers. The plot of the game is revealed as you complete numerous quests, each of which is not only interestingly written, but also has good replayability. In addition, Divinity: OS II can be played alone or with up to 4 people. The multiplayer component, deep lore and wonderful atmosphere make the game truly unique in its genre.

XCOM 2

One of the coolest Sci-Fi RPGs with strategy elements on PC, telling the story of the Earth's collision with an alien threat. The basis of the gameplay component of XCOM 2 is similar to the previous game in the series, which at one time was called Enemy Unknown. We have to take control of the new Avenger mobile base, rebuilt from an alien ship. Just like in the prequel, we must assemble squads of various fighters, each of whom has their own unique abilities and leveling up.

XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy first and foremost, and an RPG second, so the outcome of each battle in it depends on the player’s intelligence and foresight, and nothing else. Battles are periodically diluted with tasks to obtain artifacts to develop the base. The game promises new enemies, many unusual situations and a lot of scope for tactical roleplay.

Wasteland 2

We recommend the next game from our list of the best RPGs with strategy elements to all fans of good post-apocalyptic games. The plot of Wasteland 2 continues the events of the prequel, while about fifteen years have passed since the end of the first part of Wasteland. We once again find ourselves in a familiar post-apocalyptic world, after a terrible thermonuclear war broke out between the USA and the USSR. The game takes place in the southwestern United States. The Nevada Desert Rangers, led by General Vargas, begin to receive unknown radio transmissions with suspicious messages.

Vargas decides to send one of his best soldiers to a remote radio tower to install a device on it to more clearly track the signal. Unfortunately, the plan fails and the soldier is found murdered. To investigate the mysterious incident, Vargas assembles a special group, which we have to take control of.

Darkest Dungeon

Perhaps one of the best RPGs with strategy elements on PC for lovers of something truly hardcore. The role-playing side of Darkest Dungeon actively uses such a subgenre as roguelike, which consists of turn-based gameplay, random generation of levels and irreversibility of character death (if a character dies in battle, the passage will have to be started again).

The events of the game are built around a group of adventurers. Each time the heroes descend into the dark dungeons hidden by the ancient estate in order to collect as many treasures and family heirlooms as possible. On their way, seekers will encounter various monsters, ingenious traps and endless darkness - all of this, one way or another, will have an effect on the mental state of the characters. Distraught heroes can easily slip into alcoholism, kleptomania and other negative habits, which, in turn, will lead to tense relationships within the group and inappropriate behavior during battle.

Valkyria Chronicles

The next project from our list of the best strategy RPGs on PC was originally released only on the Playstation 3 system. In 2014, Valkyria Chronicles was successfully re-released on Windows, and this time PC users were able to enjoy this exciting game. The plot develops in an alternative reality, in Europe in 1935. A small state called Gaul has to take part in the rapidly developing events of World War II (we remind you that this is an alternative history version). It just so happens that Gaul, being the owner of extremely valuable reserves of useful resources, becomes the target of two warring parties - the Imperial Alliance and the forces of the Atlantic Federation. We have to play as young militia fighters who need to protect their homeland and defend its independent status.

Xenonauts

The developers of "Xenonauts" consider their project a kind of "rethinking" of the original X-COM: UFO Defense. The game has undergone many changes and innovations, but the basic mechanics have remained the same. Much like X-COM: UFO Defense, Xenonauts' gameplay has strategic and tactical elements.

According to the plot of the game, we find ourselves in an alternative world in 1979. The two superpowers of that time, the USSR and the United States, decide to join forces to jointly fight the alien danger hanging over the planet. We, as players, have to do a wide variety of things - from building bases and conducting scientific research to creating an army and participating in ground-based turn-based battles.

Operation Silent Storm

And to conclude our list of the best RPGs with strategy elements, we will remember the game that was released back in 2003. Operation Silent Storm is an exciting turn-based role-playing game that became a real breakthrough in the genre in its time.

The events taking place in the plot can be described as a crypto-historical look at the Second World War. We will be transferred to European territory in 1943, where we will have to stop a secret organization of terrorists called "Thor's Hammer". He is developing a secret weapon that is actually an orbital beam cannon. Playing as a sabotage group, we must put an end to the organization's plans and prevent it from establishing world domination.

The turn-based tactics genre is becoming relevant again.

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The turn-based tactics genre is becoming relevant again. The success of remakes of once popular games and successful companies on Kickstarter confirm this. New projects are released regularly, winning recognition from critics and ordinary users. In anticipation of the release of an unusual I'm not a Monster We have selected ten iconic and simply wonderful representatives of the genre. We warn you right away: it will not be in the top "Civilizations" And Master of Orion. We're talking about games that focus on small-squad combat—games that rely on intelligence, wits, and tactics to win. Intrigued? Then let's begin!

Tenth place - “Operation Silent Storm”

Who would have thought that the game was from a Russian developer? Nival will turn out to be a real hit and a trendsetter of the genre. Yes, probably many, because at that time the studio was already quite widely known. "Operation Silent Storm" talks about a special detachment during the Second World War. The spirit of a large-scale military conflict is felt every second, and the player, like a real commander, plans a foray into enemy territory.

Technically and gameplay-wise, the game in 2003 could surprise. True, at times the impression was spoiled by the appearance of ubersoldiers in exoskeletons. The fantasy elements are not to everyone's taste. Some opponents had almost cheating abilities, and the very appearance of unimaginable technology from the future confused the prevailing idea of ​​the game, which depicted in great detail the main confrontation of the 20th century. Otherwise, Silent Storm remains in the memory of many as a project that made a significant contribution to the industry.

Ninth place - Xenonauts

Xenonauts- excellent clone X-COM: UFO Defense. So excellent that we decided to put it in the top, and not the original game. The project turned out to be not a carbon copy, but rather a development of the ideas of UFO Defense. True, they looked alike, like identical twins. Again sprite graphics, albeit in high resolution, almost the same interface. The rapid response system detects a UFO, and off we go... First contact, and you are immediately plunged into a confrontation between special forces and aliens. In the first skirmish with aliens, most likely, you will lose your squad.

The game turned out to be incredibly difficult. Hardcore tactics will appeal to fans of that same X-COM, but definitely not to the mass player. Here everything is decided by preparation and development of a plan that you will have to follow step by step. And if something suddenly goes wrong, it’s a big deal. Extraterrestrial creatures easily take out fighters taken by surprise.

Eighth place - Laser Squad Nemesis

Series Laser Squad is not so well known in the CIS, but that doesn’t make it any worse. The very first game of the franchise could have been placed in the top, but we decided to focus on Nemesis.
Overall, it's a standard turn-based tactical action game, but with one twist... Laser Squad Nemesis is a multiplayer game. The outstanding game designer Julian Gollop, who by the way created the X-COM series, built a system that was then used for years.

This time the player can take on the role of both a defender of humanity and an alien invader. Here you can choose from powerful mechs, fast infantry, or a swarm of aliens. Roy in the truest sense. Everyone’s tactics are different, and the gameplay depends on who is in your squad. Some will have to get closer to the enemy and set up ambushes, while others will be able to dig in at a respectful distance and use powerful space guns along with telekinesis.

Unfortunately, Nemesis has not received any updates since 2006, but some enthusiasts still play it. No wonder, because the gameplay remains just as exciting even after years... Again, how many multiplayer turn-based tactical games do you know?

Seventh place - Into the Breach

From the creators Faster Than Light We were expecting something amazing. And for good reason. At first glance, Into the Breach It may seem simple, almost primitive, but don’t let the appearance scare you. This is a real gem of the genre with gameplay thought out to the smallest detail.

The game is reminiscent of chess in many ways, including visually. Your equipment is located on separate cells, while the ubiquitous bugs wait on others. But they have a whole bunch of chips that they can definitely surprise you with. For example, you make a move, and then it turns out that another enemy is crawling out of the ground. Right below you. Here you need to study tactics of all types and think through every move.

The gameplay changes radically, as soon as you replace the set of mechs in your squad. The only pity is that in terms of duration the project is almost as modest as in terms of appearance. But this is where replayability comes to the rescue. You can return to Into the Breach again and again, trying different, sometimes unobvious, tactics. For example, nowhere does it say that with a hook and a cable you can attract not only enemies, but also your own equipment. And this is just one hidden feature out of many!

Sixth place - Vandal Hearts

Through turn-based combat Vandal Hearts tells a story steeped in the spirit of medieval wars. While your squad is fighting on the battlefield, intrigues are being woven and conspiracies are being planned in the political arena.

The game is very similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, but it should be taken into account that in many ways it was Vandal Hearts that served as the source of inspiration for the spin-off of the famous series. The fighters on the team are unique, even if they fit within the framework of standard classes. But there is not a single unnecessary hero. The balance is calculated to the smallest detail. And for almost every new battle you will have to come up with new tactics.

At one time, Vandal Hearts became a step towards the development of the genre, intelligently implementing and sorting out the accumulated ideas. If you decide to play it now, it's unlikely to disappoint you... As long as you're not picky about graphics. Otherwise, this is a standard turn-based tactical role-playing game from the nineties.

Fifth place - Jagged Alliance 2

In due time, the second part of the series Jagged Alliance made a lot of noise, especially in the post-Soviet space. The sequel largely followed the formula of the original, but deepened it in every single aspect. The mercenaries have become more colorful, the interface and controls have become more convenient. There was no need to get used to the game; everything was done on an intuitive level. But I had to learn to fight. Hiring fighters, choosing perks and weapons - all this required attention and calculation from the player. But it was no less fascinating than the battles with the soldiers of the usurper Queen Deidrana.

And the banana state of Arulco itself then, in 1999, amazed many with the depth of its elaboration. You had to communicate with the locals, train the people’s militia, and the player’s actions affected the world. For example, returning to the battlefield, you could find ruins there, the bodies of defeated enemies and crows circling above them. Jagged Alliance 2 has become truly iconic. And proof of people's love are dozens of mods that were carefully passed on disks from hand to hand.

It's a shame that since then there have been only failed attempts to resurrect the great series. All hope for THQ Nordic. Although... there's not much hope.

Fourth place - Shadowrun: Hong Kong

Shadowrun not like most of the games in the top. This is not only a turn-based tactics game, but also an advanced role-playing game, moreover, in a unique setting where cyberpunk is intertwined with fantasy. Here, elves wear formal suits, dwarves hack security systems, and orcs are armed not with axes, but with shotguns. The main difference between this Shadowrun and previous parts of the series is that Hong Kong is an order of magnitude larger. And we are not talking about square kilometers, but about the opportunities that the game provides. Here you have a whole field for tactical tricks, and a lot of branching dialogues. And the game is written superbly... Almost the same way it was designed. Except that the script sags in places.

The gameplay of the game is reminiscent of the same Jagged Alliance: you prepare a squad, select fighters, and so on. But on the battlefield you have to act differently. You don't have a squad of mercenaries, but thugs from Hong Kong. Every second contraction begins slowly. You are looking for ways to solve the puzzle, looking at how to get out of the next difficult situation... And then suddenly everything seems to accelerate, and the tangle instantly unravels. This game has a special dynamic.

Third place - Invisible, Inc.

A game that many critics called a design miracle. Yes, in many ways this is a copy of other tactical games. You will have to hide, sneak and deceive enemies using standard techniques for the genre, but... The way Canadian developers from Klei Entertainment skillfully tie stealth into turn-based mechanics is amazing.

Each level is a challenge for attentiveness and ingenuity. You are not led by the hand, but given a whole bunch of options to choose from. The entire game is preparation for one final mission. This is both plot-driven and well-executed. In the scenario, your intelligence organization was attacked and some of the agents were captured. You have only two operatives at your disposal. Yes, as the game progresses you can free a couple more, but if the available fighters are killed, then that’s it. Start the game again.

Gameplay in Invisible, Inc. came out fresh and dynamic, but it is not the main advantage of the game. As we have already said, design is at the forefront here. The developers masterfully used colors and shapes, creating their own unique style. This is what will make you replay Invisible, Inc. Time after time. Fortunately, mission details and levels are procedurally generated for each playthrough.

Second place - Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin was a pleasant surprise for all fans of old-school RPGs. But the sequel not only was not inferior to its predecessor, but also surpassed it in all respects. brainchild Larian already takes pride of place in the lists of the best projects of the last decade, and we even named it the best game of last year. Excellent mechanics, well-developed and deep mythology and excellent graphics. All this about Divinity: Original Sin 2.

Yes, yes, it is X-COM that comes out in first place. But this should not be surprising. It was this series of games that largely influenced the turn-based tactics genre. And you’ve heard its name more than once in the top.

The original game from the nineties could easily have come in first place, but Enemy Unknown deserves a high title no less. After all, it is this part of the franchise that is responsible for returning the genre to its former glory.

Firaxis Games They didn’t just revive what was created twenty years ago. No, they became a real example for all remake creators, giving new life to the original idea. The game retained the atmosphere and spirit of that very X-COM, but was modernized and adapted for modern players.

The gameplay has changed and become more intuitive. Fights with alien invaders drag on and don’t let go. In addition, looking for a way out of stalemate situations is now much more exciting. Hardcore is accurately and accurately mixed with accessibility.

There are many varieties of aliens, and they are all unique. Each battle with them turns into a separate little story that could pass for an episode of a science fiction series. And if you also study the dossier of your fighters, it can turn into a real drama. From first contact to the end of the campaign, you can lose a lot of operatives. And every loss is perceived as personal. In order for as many comrades as possible to remain alive, you will have to learn the habits of the enemy and the abilities of all your fighters.

The global part is no less fascinating. Management will take a lot of time, but will give you a lot of emotions. It’s worth mentioning the design of Enemy Unknown, which is now being copied by everyone.

Release date: 1999-2004

Genre:

Lords of War is a real-time strategy game with role-playing elements. The gameplay consists of constructing buildings and creating units to destroy the enemy, as well as completing additional tasks for the hero. The game takes place on the continent of Etheria. In the campaign, the player must take control of one of twelve races and conquer all 67 regions of Etheria. In the game itself, the player takes on the role of the hero he created. There are 12 different races available to play, each with their own hero type, unique structures, and resource dependencies.

The game features some role-playing elements, including leveling up your character and completing quests. In addition to units, the player controls a hero, which is created before the game. A hero is a unique unit that can build buildings, cast spells and complete quests. Depending on the outcome of the battle, the hero receives experience points and increases his level.

Ascension to the Throne

Release date: 2007

Genre: RPG, turn-based strategy

A classic turn-based strategy with RPG elements, the action of which takes place in a fairy-tale fantasy world. In its structure, the game combines elements of a role-playing game and turn-based strategy. Between battles, the player moves around the game world and interacts with NPCs. All this, as well as a third-person view, a system of quests and skill distribution, is a manifestation of the classic RPG

When entering battle, the game enters the strategic phase. Fights take place in the same space where the player met the enemy, only divided into hexagons. The principle of combat is identical to the battles in the games of the Heroes of Might and Magic series, the only fundamental difference is that each fighter occupies a separate hexagon, so you need to consider how many fighters can hit, and think about blocking completely differently.

SpellForce game series

Release date: 2003-2016

Genre: real-time strategy, RPG

Order of the Dawn - combines the strategy and role-playing game genres and focuses on role-playing elements and hero development and army advancement. At the beginning of the game, the player creates the main character, selects his gender (male or female), appearance, skill categories, as well as characteristics that will develop during the game. The game allows you to control different races, which are divided into two opposite sides: light and dark. Elves, people, gnomes and so on.

Throughout the game, you will receive experience points for a task well completed (defeating the strongest enemy, destroying units and camps, etc.). Points are needed to increase the hero's level. A large number of options for the development of the main character and many allies. Tactics may vary depending on the player's preference. During the passage you will be able to use over 100 unique skills and spells.

Space Rangers 2

Release date: 2002

Genre: strategy, RPG, arcade

Space Rangers - tells about the confrontation between the Galactic Commonwealth. The game takes place in turn-based mode. The player's ship travels in space between planets and space stations - within one system - and through hyperspace - to move from one system to another. Each turn in the game corresponds to an in-game day. Before pressing the “end turn” button, the player can enter into dialogue with the ships of the commonwealth or scan them, reinstall equipment from the hold into a ship slot or throw it into the airlock, or activate a special artifact. All these actions are performed “out of time” and do not require spending game turns.

Upon landing on a planet or space station, the player is able to choose between different tabs, thereby moving from a hangar to a government center or equipment store. Both in space and on planets, the player always has access to three buttons that open the internal structure of his ship, the galactic map and global ranking of rangers. The galactic map, in addition, makes it possible to choose the direction of the hyperjump to move to another system. To do this, you need to fly up to the border of the system and go into hyperspace. Once in hyper, the player finds himself on the route planning screen.

Darkest Dungeon

Release date: 2016

Genre: RPG, turn-based strategy

Darkest Dungeon is a challenging turn-based role-playing game with a gothic atmosphere, in which the characters' adventures take a toll on their mental health. You have to assemble, train and lead a team of heroes, each of whom has their own shortcomings. The team will need to be led through eerie forests, deserted nature reserves, collapsed crypts and other dangerous places. You will have to fight not only with unimaginable enemies, but also with stress, hunger, disease and impenetrable darkness. Uncover strange mysteries and send heroes into battle against fearsome monsters using a new strategic turn-based combat system.

Psychosis system - you have to fight not only monsters, but also stress! Heroes are prone to paranoia, masochism, illogical behavior and many other conditions that affect the game. Stylish graphics, as if drawn by hand with a pen. The new turn-based combat system will pit the heroes against numerous creatures of evil. Ten playable classes: plague doctor, savage and even leper. A camp where you can heal wounds or give an inspiring speech. A city with an inn and a monastery, where exhausted heroes can rest and relieve accumulated stress. Classic features of computer RPGs: permanent death of heroes, dangerous dungeons and the ability to play through the game several times.

Hard West

Release date: 2015

Genre: turn-based strategy, indie

This is the Wild West like you've never seen before. A tragic set of circumstances forces the hero to take the path of revenge and chaos. He will not spare those who were cruel to him and his loved ones. Follow Warren into the darkest depths of the human soul and try to survive in a world of difficult choices and brutal consequences. Fight and survive in 8 unique scenarios and win in 40 turn-based combat missions. As you travel through the game world, you will meet many colorful game characters, whose destinies are intricately intertwined with yours. Together you will have to make decisions and uncover the plans of ancient dark forces. A complex story can have multiple endings depending on the choices you make in the game.

Exciting turn-based combat: Control a squad of up to 4 fighters and master a wide range of skills based on Western style: from pistol tricks to survival at any cost. Kill enemies on unique maps while completing challenging story missions. Get and combine special abilities. Turn the tide of combat with a sophisticated cover system where you can use environmental items to gain an advantage. Maneuvering in the game is a complex and effective tactic. Detection by shadow. The merciless sun will highlight the shadow of the enemy and will not allow him to hide. 40 types of weapons based on historical prototypes. Choose from a selection of era-inspired shotguns, shotguns, pistols and sniper rifles.

King's Bounty

Release date: 1990-2014

In King's Bounty, the player controls one character, whose type is selected before the start of the game from four possible ones (Knight, Paladin, Barbarian and Sorceress). The character has certain attributes, the main one of which is the army under his control, made up of various mythical creatures. The character also has the ability to use magic spells to change the course of events in one way or another.

The game has two modes: travel on the main map and battle on a special tactical map. In the first mode, the player controls the movement of the character himself across the lands on which the game takes place. The second mode is activated when the character enters battle, besieging an enemy castle or attacking one of the many wandering armies scattered across the map. The game keeps track of time in game days and weeks. The beginning of each week is marked by the debiting of money (for the use of the ship, for the maintenance of armies) and the receipt of salaries from the king. The time allotted for the game is determined by the difficulty level selected at the beginning.

Heroes of Might and Magic

Release date: 1995-2015

Genre: turn-based strategy, RPG

In the Heroes of Might and Magic series, the player will have to fight with other people or computer opponents for the possession of cities, sources of resources, treasures and artifacts. During the game, he controls heroes - playable characters who explore the global map and lead armies of creatures during battle, and are also able to use magic. By winning battles, heroes gain experience, and, having gained enough of it, move to the next level, increasing their parameters. Battles take place on land and water, in the open field and during the siege of castles, with enemy heroes and neutral creatures.

The main setting is a global map, called the adventure map, on which game objects are located and heroes travel. The mechanics of battles did not change much throughout the series. From one to seven units in each army take to the battlefield. Troops in one detachment can only be of one type. The fight is divided into rounds. Each round, each unit takes one action. The turn order depends on the creature's speed. Speed ​​can be increased or decreased by hero abilities, artifacts, spells, and creature traits.

Warcraft III

Release date: 2002

Genre: real-time strategy, RPG

The game's plot is fully told through cutscenes and intervening videos, and additional information can be found in the manual. The campaign is divided into five chapters: the first is teaching the very basics of the game, the rest tell the story from the perspective of the people of Lordaeron, the undead, orcs and night elves. The action takes place in the fictional world of Azeroth, which is divided into 3 main continents: Kalimdor, Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend. Humans mainly live in the Eastern Kingdoms, as do the orcs; at the same time, night elves live in Kalimdor. At the center of the world rages a huge, continuous storm called the Eternal Storm (or Maelstrom), which appeared after the destruction of the Well of Eternity.

Traditionally, the campaign supplied with the game is educational in nature: the player gradually gets acquainted with the diversity of the fairy-tale world, the complexity of the tasks gradually increases, and the storyline develops accordingly. In order to show the new capabilities of the heroes, a typical representative of the class was selected from each faction, with the participation of which it is proposed to complete at least one mission. These heroes are given bright, memorable personalities, developed characters and backstories, and the plot of the campaign is tied to them, a series of events that had a colossal impact on the fate of all the nations of Azeroth.

Fallout 1 and 2

Release date: 1997 and 1998

Genre: Turn-based strategy, RPG

The main feature of the gameplay is that in the game world the player has complete freedom of action - he can travel, communicate, fight, complete tasks, and obtain the necessary information. The main action of the game takes place in individual locations (cities, dungeons, military bases and other places) located throughout the game world. The transition between remote locations is carried out on the world map. The game on locations takes place in real time. The battles take place in a step-by-step mode; the one who starts the battle receives the advantage of the first move; in the future, the order of moves is determined by the order of the character’s actions. Some types of weapons have multiple attack modes (for example, machine guns can fire a single shot or a burst.

The player has a wide range of actions. You can search cabinets, tables, corpses of people and animals, open and close unlocked doors, and try to steal from any character. You can also trade with characters by selling, buying and exchanging items. Any creature can be attacked with bare hands or weapons; a variety of objects can be used on any character with different consequences - for example, if you use an alcoholic drink on a person, his perception will decrease, which makes theft easier; You can also set off a time bomb and place it in someone's pocket. You can have a dialogue with some of the characters. During the game, the Exit will have to break open doors, work with computers, detect traps, repair things, and to successfully carry out all these actions, it is necessary to have the appropriate skills.

Wasteland 2

Release date: 2014

Genre: RPG, turn-based strategy

Wasteland 2 is a strategy with the ability to control and level up a group and characters. In the game you can choose one or another choice of actions in missions. The game takes place in the southwestern part of the United States in the mid-21st century after a thermonuclear war between the superpowers of the USSR and the USA, fifteen years after the events of Wasteland. The leader of the Nevada Desert Rangers, General Vargas, sends a squad of four rookies to investigate this strange crime. From this moment the main events of the game begin.

Wasteland 2's dialogue system is based on keywords. Clicking on a keyword causes the character to say a specific phrase associated with it. The player will always know what exactly will be said, since when you hover the mouse over a keyword, the entire phrase will be visible. The composition of keywords will be associated not only with the dialogue system, but also with the role-playing system. You can replenish your “vocabulary” with the help of developed perception, reading descriptions of objects and the environment.

Disciples I, II, III

Release date: 1999-2012

Genre: turn-based strategy, RPG

All games in the series take place in a fantasy world called Nevendaar, also called the "Sacred Lands". At the beginning of the campaign, the player must choose his ruler class: warlord, archmage or guild master. Each ruler has his own bonuses that determine the style of play. The gameplay includes three main components: Improving the player’s capital, which gives access to new troops and capabilities. Learning new spells used on the strategic map. Using heroes leading small squads to scout, attack, and capture territories and resources (gold and mana).

There are four playable races: Empire, Legions of the Damned, Mountain Clans, Hordes of the Undead. The Rise of the Elves addon adds a fifth - Elves. In the third game of the series, only three playable races remain - the Empire, the Legions of the Damned and the Alliance of Elves. With the advent of the Disciples 3: Resurrection add-on, the Undead Hordes appeared. The troop system in the first game in the series became the basis for subsequent ones. Units are divided into five categories based on their method of combat: melee units can hit one enemy standing nearby; “archers” - one enemy standing anywhere; “magicians” - hit all opponents at the same time; There are also units that apply some kind of positive effect to one or all friendly warriors and “summoners”.

Jagged Alliance 1,2,3

Release date: 1994-2014

The plot of the games revolves around the A.I.M. organization, which provides mercenary services in hot spots around the world. An integral part is the economic component, the cash flow coming from the extraction of raw materials to pay for the work of mercenaries and militias. In the additions, the emphasis is shifted to tactical battles, rather than the capture and control of strategically important objects. The series consists of six games, three official additions to them and a dozen unofficial ones.

The player's task is to recruit a squad of mercenaries used to conduct combat operations, explore, capture and hold new territories. The larger the territory a player owns, the more money he receives on a regular basis. The funds earned in this way go to pay for mercenary contracts and the work of collectors and guards. The total amount of revenue strongly depends on the external market conditions, which the player cannot influence. The main features of the game are the wide tactical possibilities of combat and a detailed series of mercenary characters with their own brief biography, character and role characteristics.

Operation Silent Storm

Release date: 2003

Genre turn-based strategy with RPG elements

The story takes place in 1943 and is a crypto-history of World War II. The secret organization "Thor's Hammer" (MT) is a terrorist organization whose goal is world domination. The MT leadership knows that it cannot be achieved as long as there are military-political alliances in the world that can resist them. So they develop a secret weapon - an orbital beam gun. Having launched this weapon into orbit, MT will be able to dictate its will to the leading countries of the world. At the beginning, the player can choose a side and a character to choose from, there are 12 characters of 6 nationalities to choose from.

After completing the introductory task, the player is given access to the base where the hospital, arsenal, chief's office and panzerklein hangar are located. From this point on, the player can recruit a party of up to six people (including the player character) from a total of twenty. All characters are divided into 6 classes: medic, sniper, scout, grenadier, soldier, engineer. Each specialty has its own advantages and disadvantages in battle. As you progress in the game, new weapons will be added to your arsenal: either from warehouses or captured. The game uses an advanced physics model. The landscape can be changed, human bodies react correctly to hits from various types of weapons.

Xenonauts

Release date: 2012

Genre: turn-based strategy, tactical strategy, with RPG elements

The game takes place in an alternate world in 1979, during the Cold War, when the USSR and the USA join forces to fight an alien invasion, the gameplay is divided into strategic and tactical parts. In the strategic part, the player creates and develops bases, recruits personnel for them, conducts scientific research, equips soldiers, and fights against alien ships. The tactical part is a turn-based ground battle, a tactical air battle between earthling fighter-interceptors and “flying saucers.”

In ground missions, alternative victory conditions have been introduced, eliminating the need for the player to destroy all aliens on the map, as well as player-friendly computer-controlled soldiers. The game's developers expressed their approach to tactical combat as follows: You should lose units because of your mistakes, not because of bad luck, so weapons like the blaster bomb, which can destroy half your unit, have been removed and replaced with weapons that a skilled player can resist.

Omerta: City of Gangsters

Release date: 2013

Genre: turn-based strategy, RPG,

Omerta is a gangster simulator set in the 1920s in Atlantic City. The player will have to open his own gangster business. The gameplay is designed as a strategy game with a classic look; in combat mode, the game becomes a tactical strategy game. The player can earn both “dirty” and “clean” money. There are quite a few ways to earn “dirty” money: this is an underground business in the form of selling beer, alcohol or weapons, organizing fights without rules and bookmakers and many other entertainments of a dubious nature; It also includes completing various tasks and trading with various residents of the city. “Clean” money is earned through legal businesses such as selling alcohol through pharmacies, money laundering, or renting out residential buildings.

Sometimes the player will have to engage in battle with police officers and bandits from other groups. The player, depending on his position, can hire bandits into his squad and arm them with firearms, melee and explosive weapons. Weapons can be purchased from the sheriff. Each bandit available for hire in the game has his own unique skills; each weapon allows you to inflict two or three types of attacks. Sometimes, if they are defeated, the bandits end up in prison, from where the player can then release them if desired. With each victory, the hero and his henchmen gain a new level and improve their abilities.

7.62

Release date: 2007

Genre: Tactical RPG, real time strategy

The player plays the role of an experienced mercenary, hired to find and deliver to his customers the fugitive oligarch Ippolit Fakirov. According to the plot of the game, Fakirov deceived many respected people in his homeland and fled to Algeira. The player will have to contact both the partisans and the official authorities to find out where Fakirov is. The campaign is nonlinear - the player can play through the game either on the side of any faction or independently. The main feature of the game is tactical combat, where, controlling a small squad (up to 6 people), the player solves various tactical problems.

Large selection of weapons and equipment. All weapon models presented in the game have real prototypes, provided with a brief but detailed description. The game also realistically presents the characteristics of weapons, adjusted for range. Since the maps are relatively small, their dimensions are 250-300 meters in length, the weapon ranges are proportionally reduced so that only the longest-range models can conduct effective fire across the entire map. You can capture populated areas and raise a militia there. Thus, you can go through the entire game fighting for yourself.